SUGGESTIONS TO HOME BUYERS

When you have found the home you want to buy you should do the following:

Contact a home inspector immediately. Check your inspectors references carefully. Remember anyone can call himself or herself a home inspector.

Read the current California law which in part states the following: " It is the duty of a home inspector who is not licensed as a general contractor, structural pest control operator, or architect, or registered as a professional engineer to
conduct a home inspection with the degree of care that a reasonably
prudent home inspector would exercise....the degree of care that would
be exercised by a reasonably prudent home inspector pursuant to Section
7196 of the Business and Professions Code, the court may consider the
Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics the California Real Estate
Inspection Association, the American Society of Home Inspectors, or
other nationally recognized professional home inspection associations".

Carefully review the sellers disclosures on known problems . Give your
inspector a list of these problems.

Check with the local building department to see if permits have been obtained for any home modifications.

Ask the seller for names and phone numbers of contractors, handymen or
others that have worked on the home.

Ask the seller for manuals, operating instructions, maintenance
recommendations or other documentation on items like heaters, kitchen
appliances etc.

Obtain a Home Warranty covering the installed appliances and all home
systems.

Carefully review your home inspection report with your inspector